Abstract: A magnetic separator and process involving a train of parallel, spaced magnetic bars connected together to form a closed loop disposed in a tank able to receive a liquid containing ferromagnetic particles which are to be removed from the liquid. The liquid is introduced by an inlet extending within the closed loop so that the liquid is constrained to flow out through spaces between the magnetic bars. Flow out of the tank is through perforate distributor plates and over a pair of weirs, the perforate plates and weirs extending along a respective side of the closed loop to distribute the flow through all of the bar spaces.

Abstract: A filter incorporates a magnetic separator comprised of a series of side by side but spaced apart permanently magnetized bars interconnected to form a train, movably mounted through a tank into which is introduced liquid contaminated with ferromagnetic particles to be removed. The bar train includes a section overlying a vacuum box in the tank which also is overlain with a filter media to remove particles not removed by the separator. The bar train may be mounted to a flight conveyor included in the filter, or alternatively have its own support and drive. A scraper station is located at a discharge end of the tank for removal of accumulated particles from the bars. Scraper blocks are slidably mounted on the bars and remain there throughout the machine cycle, each of the blocks successly engaged with a plate on a band cylinder as the bars are moved into the scraping station. The cylinder is stroked to wipe the bars at the scraper station.

Abstract: An auxiliary filter for removing residual particles from already filtered cutting fluids used in metal cutting machines, the auxiliary filter including a hollow wheel member rotated in a sealed tank into which the filtered liquid flows. Pressurized liquid passes through a fine screen on the perimeter of the rotating wheel to capture any residual particles. A high pressure backwash jets are directed at the screen as it rotates past an array of nozzles, and a collection trough draws any dislodged material away and out of the tank.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement is provided to close off and seal a gap between undersurfaces of a machine tool installation and a coolant collection channel. The sealing arrangement includes a pair of lengths of sealing hoses inflated with air pressure to close off and seal the gap. The inflated hose seals accommodate the variable gap created by sloping collection troughs to simplify the construction thereof.

Abstract: A collection system for collecting coolant and chips from a series of machine tools for cleaning the coolant in a filter system and recirculating the coolant back to the machine tools. The system includes a series of end-to-end connected shallow depth troughs disposed on the floor below the machine tools, defining a downward sloping gravity flow path. Flow nozzles are used to maintain sufficient flow velocity to move the collected debris and liquid to the end of the trough. Collector-deflector plates prevent oversplashing and misting out of the troughs. A flow nozzle control variably sets the diversion of clean coolant to the flow nozzles in accordance with the sensed velocity of the coolant in the trough.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for removing solids from a liquid in which chain conveyor loops frictionally engage a segment of a continuous permanent filter media belt extending across the bottom of a tank over a perforate section through which liquid is withdrawn to be filtered. The chain conveyor loops and permanent filter media follow divergent paths after exiting the tank, the chain loops returning over the top of the tank, the permanent filter media belt returning beneath the tank to a point of entrance at the top of a rear tank wall. A disposable media belt is optionally introduced at the point the permanent media belt and chain conveyor loops reconverge at the entrance point of the tank at the rear wall. The chain conveyor loops are indexed periodically and frictionally engage the permanent media belt (and disposable media, if used) in the segment extending across the tank bottom to cause the belt media to likewise be indexed.

Abstract: A filter apparatus and method use a permanent filter media belt to support a disposable filter media strip which are indexed over a vacuum chamber perforate cover plate at the bottom of a tank containing liquid to be filtered. A flight conveyor frictionally engages the disposable media strip to index both the disposable media strip and the permanent media belt. The side edges are each extended out into a seal enclosure containing an inflatable tube seal, each pressurized to seal the side edges during filtration, the tubes depressurized when the media are indexed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for collecting cutting fluid and chips from a number of machine tools and includes a series of sumps each collecting chips and fluid at a particular machine tool, and a central sealed collection tank drawing from all of the sumps by drawpipes inserted in each sump. A single large capacity pump pumps to filtration equipment, with a predetermined vacuum level maintained in the tank by opening and closing an outlet valve between the pump and the filtration equipment. A level switch at each sump causes intermittent opening of an associated valve causing each sump to be placed in communication with the vacuum in the collection tank, and random opening of the valves causes individual sumps to be emptied by the full suction at the collection tank. The drawpipes are equipped with antivortex end shapes to allow rapid evacuation without drawing air into the system. A vacuum pump removes excess air accumulating in the collection tank.

Abstract: An arrangement and method of retrofitting a filter using a disposable media to use a permanent media belt passed through a filter tank, in which movable carts are positioned at the entrance and discharge ends of the filter tank, and a roll of permanent filter media belt segment is unwound and passed through the filter tank and rewound into a roll on the other cart at the discharge end of the filter tank with the permanent filter media belt segment being cleaned and dried prior to being rewound. Upon complete rewinding of the segment, the movable carts are switched in their positions and the permanent filter media belt segment again unwound to be again passed through the filter tank with the process repeated. A second removable cart can also be positioned at the entrance side of the filter tank with the leading end connected to the trailing end of the previous belt segment automatically to be carried through the filter tank to ensure uninterrupted filter operation by successive feed of the two belt segments.

Abstract: A sump system and method for collecting liquid from a number of locations includes a series of sumps each collecting liquid at a particular location, and a central sealed collection tank drawing liquid from all of the sumps by overhead draw pipes. A single large capacity pump pumps liquid back to filtration equipment, with a predetermined vacuum level maintained in the tank by opening and closing an outlet valve between the pump and the filtration equipment. The collection tank may be initially filled from an overhead clean supply header.

Abstract: A system and method for returning coolant from a number of machines to filter units, in which contaminated coolant collected in machines sumps is drawn upwardly through draw tubes and into an overhead downwardly inclined collector header by applying a vacuum in the collector header. The draw tubes extend above the collector header and are inclined downwardly and enter the collector header to aid the flow of coolant down the collector header. The contaminated coolant is drawn through the filter units, and the filtered coolant is drawn into venturi ejectors which generate the system vacuum, emptying into a clean tank from which is supplied filtered coolant back to the machine units.

Abstract: A method of installing a filter belt onto each of a pair of wind up rollers disposed on either side of a filter housing is disclosed. The filter belt is detachably secured at either end to a respective roller by a sewn in flexible element received in an undercut groove in the roller surface. Each end of the belt is fully inserted lengthwise into the undercut groove in the respective roller surface while bending the flexible element around side plates of the filter housing so as to secure each end of the filter belt to a respective roller.

Abstract: Regeneration of a granular media is produced by mechanically forming a slurry of the media in a liquid and separation of the liquid from the granular media by rapidly rotating a separator element having small openings through the slurry, as flow of a liquid granule slurry is drawn out through the openings, the movement producing a scrubbing action keeping the openings clear of the granules.

Abstract: A liquid filter and method is disclosed comprised of a housing defining a filter chamber, with a filter belt advanced into the filter chamber and receiving liquid flow to filter the liquid. Different sections of the filter belt are alternately positioned in the filter chamber by a pair of drive-take up rollers each positioned on one side of an entrance opening to the filter chamber, which are driven in opposite directions after alternate cycles. Each section of the filter belt is scraped when exiting and subsequently cleaned with washing sprays as the particular section is advanced back into the filter chamber. The filter belt is detachably attached at either end to a respective roller by a sewn in flexible element received an undercut groove in the roller surface.

Abstract: Regeneration of a granular media is produced by mechanically forming a slurry of the media in a liquid and separation of the liquid from the granular media by rapidly rotating a separator element having small openings through the slurry, as flow of a liquid granule slurry is drawn out through the openings, the movement producing a scrubbing action keeping the openings clear of the granules.

Abstract: A pressurized liquid filter in which a series of spaced apart, vertically extending filter plates are mounted between the sides of housing, inflatable hose seals extending across each top entrance and bottom exit. Filter media strips are draped vertically into the spaces, each disposed over a perforated sheet forming the outer layer of either side of each filter plate. The space between each pair of filter plates is subdivided into two filtering chambers by a dual element dewatering diaphragm mounted in a frame disposed centrally in each space. Liquid slurry is introduced into each chamber under pressure, flow induced to pass through the filter media strips and passing into vertical passages in the filter plates and into collection troughs extending along each row of passages.

Abstract: An improved filter of the type including closely spaced wedgewire windings defining a permanent filter media by allowing liquid flow through the gaps, in which the outer face of the wedgewire strands are ground away to eliminate the radiused corners on each strand, which corners create a small convergent region intermediate adjacent strands of wedgewire tending to trap solids and clog the filter when particles sizes are present in a range tending to wedge in those regions, particularly when gelatinous substances are also present.

Abstract: A drum filter is disclosed in which a filter media layer is applied over a section of a drum member disposed in a tank which receives a liquid to be filtered, the filter media layer constructed of a thin metal with a pattern of holes formed by chemical etching, with the diameters thereof increasing in the direction of flow. The diverging hole shape reduces the tendency for plugging of the hole. One or more scraper blades are urged against the filter media layer which is rotated past the scraper blade causing a flexing of each section of the filter media layer to unplug any holes which do become clogged.

Abstract: A pressurized filter is disclosed of the type including a filter media layer disposed in a filter chamber which is pressurized with a feed layer to cause filtering flow therethrough, and a diaphragm in the chamber operated to dewater the chamber after each cycle of operation, featuring a total volume totalizer measuring the volume of liquid inflow required to operate the diaphragm during each dewatering cycle, the duration of the next filtering cycle adjusted in a direction to increase or decrease the cycle duration so as to increase or decrease the accumulation of filtered solids to achieve on optimal accumulation. A plurality of filter units are stacked and organized into independently operated sets, enabling continuous filter operation by alternate cycling of each set.

Abstract: A tank filter having a drag conveyor circulating through the tank interior, the conveyor having flights frictionally engaging a disposable filter media belt to advance the same through the tank during indexing cycles, the belt unconnected to the conveyor to readily separate from the conveyor after passing out of the tank. A distributed bias force generating arrangement is employed to establish a sufficient frictional engagement of the conveyor flights to reliably drive the filter media belt, the arrangement comprised of a pair of spring loaded bars acting on the conveyor to urge the conveyor flights into frictional engagement with the filter media belt, allowing the use of a more steeply inclined exit end wall for a more compact tank structure.